ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Geology

Study shows hydraulic fracking is sometimes shallow, in drinking water

Henry ConradbyHenry Conrad
August 13, 2014
in Environment, Geology, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

UK to allow fracking companies to use ‘any substance’ under homes, despite 99% public opposition
Hydraulic Fracking leaks much more often than we thought
Fracking may activate faults, linked to Ohio earthquakes in 2014
Human activity probably caused cascade of Oklahoma earthquakes

Among the main arguments of hydraulic fracking proponents is the claim that fracking does nothing to threaten drinking water supply, because the process takes place much deeper. But now, a recent study conducted by Stanford researchers concludes that energy companies are fracking for oil and gas at far shallower depths than widely believed, sometimes through underground sources of drinking water. The study itself provides no evidence of groundwater contamination, it just analyzed the depths at which hydraulic fracking occurs.

fracking
Tanker trucks for hauling water and fracking fluids line up near a natural gas flare in Williston, N.D. (Charles Rex Arbogast / AP)

We’ve written quite a lot about hydraulic fracking. Here is a basic explanation on how the process works, and an article on what we don’t yet know about the effects of the process.Basically, fracking involves high-pressure injection of millions of gallons of water mixed with sand and chemicals to create a system of fissure, cracking geological formations and tapping previously unaccessible oil or gas reserves. Fracking fluid contains several dangerous chemicals, including neurotoxins and carcinogens, and also some undisclosed substances.

Fear regarding water contamination spread through communities, but oil companies always claimed that the fracking took place much deeper than the location of the drinking water, so there’s no reason to worry. However, this study highlights areas such as the Pavillion gas field which contains both natural gas and sources of drinking water.

“Thousands of gallons of diesel fuel and millions of gallons of fluids containing numerous inorganic and organic additives were injected directly into these two formations during hundreds of stimulation events,” concluded Dominic DiGiulio and Robert Jackson of Stanford’s School of Earth Sciences in a presentation Tuesday at the American Chemical Society conference in San Francisco.

They also point out that due to the secrecy generally surrounding fracking, there is no way of knowing the effects of fracking into groundwater resources. Also, regulator haven’t yet assessed the scope and impact of the activity.

“The extent and consequences of these activities are poorly documented, hindering assessments of potential resource damage and human exposure,” DiGiulio wrote.

Companies claim that fracking never contaminated drinking water, but the Environmental Protection Agency launched three investigations over the last six years into possible drinking water contamination by oil and gas activity in Dimock, Pa.; Parker County, Texas; and Pavillion, Wyo. Even though the investigations found several leads and there were clear indications of pollution, they were stopped amidst political pressure (something which should just not happen in environmental studies). If anything, recent studies have highlighted the risk of contamination.

“People think these formations are impermeable, and so they wonder, ‘Why are you worrying about water?’” DiGiulio said. “But it is an extremely heterogeneous environment, with areas of low and high permeability mixed together and with many lenses conducting water.”

Tags: gas fieldhydraulic frackingoil field

ShareTweetShare
Henry Conrad

Henry Conrad

Henry Conrad is an avid technology and science enthusiast living in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his four dogs. Aside from being a science geek and playing online games, he also writes poems and inspirational articles and short stories just to dabble on his creative side.

Related Posts

Climate

Fracking causes massive surge in methane emissions

byFermin Koop
6 years ago
Fracking field. Image credits: Simon Fraser University.
Environment

Injection Wells of Hydraulic Fracking Causing More Earthquakes and Other Damage

byMihai Andrei
7 years ago
Fracking landscape. Image credits: Simon Fraser University.
Environment

The Economics of Fracking: Is Fracking Worth the Health and Environmental Risks?

byContributing Author
7 years ago
Scotland aims for 100% of electricity consumption to be generated through renewable sources by 2020. Image credits: John R. / Wikipedia.
News

Scotland bans hydraulic fracking — indefinitely

byMihai Andrei
8 years ago

Recent news

Earliest Reptile Footprints Found By Amateur Paleontologist in 355-Million-Year-Old Rock Push Back the Dawn of Land Animals

May 14, 2025

A Massive Brain Study Reveals the Hidden Work Your Mind Does While You Read

May 14, 2025

Scientists Create “Bait” to Lure Baby Corals Back to Dying Reefs

May 14, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.